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Discharge Instructions for Hodgkin Lymphoma

You have been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. This disease is one of a group of cancers called lymphomas. Lymphoma is a general term for cancers that form in your body’s lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps you fight disease and infection. This system goes to every part of your body. This means that Hodgkin lymphoma can start in many different places. Treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and in some cases a stem cell transplant. Here’s what you need to know about caring for yourself during and after treatment.

General guidelines

Be sure to follow any specific instructions from your healthcare provider. Make sure you:

Take all medicines as instructed.

Understand what you can and can’t do.

Balance rest with activity. Take naps during the day, if you are tired. But try to move around and walk as much as possible.

Keep your follow-up appointments.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any questions or are concerned about any symptoms.

Preventing and treating mouth sores

Many people get mouth sores during chemotherapy. Mouth sores also can happen if you get radiation therapy to your head and neck. Here’s what you can do to help prevent them:

Brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush after every meal. If your gums bleed while brushing, try other products to clean your teeth and gums.

Don't eat foods that are acidic, spicy, salty, coarse, or dry.

Don’t use dental floss if you are at greater risk of bleeding. This may be the case if your provider tells you that you have a low blood platelet count.

Use any mouthwashes or rinses as instructed.

If you can’t brush your teeth or use mouthwash, talk with your healthcare provider about other ways to keep your mouth clean.

Check your mouth and tongue for white patches. This is a sign of fungal infection, a common side effect of chemotherapy. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider. He or she may prescribe medicine that can help.

Managing other side effects

Let your healthcare provider know if you get a sore throat. It may mean you have an infection. Your provider may prescribe medicine.